Living Large With Big-Screen Home Theater

There’s a new dimension to entertainment, bringing on what many have called a second golden age of 3D.

The number of movies filmed in 3D is growing, as well as the number of movies that are being converted from 2D to 3D to boost their box office appeal.

Since the smash hit “Avatar,” many more films have been shot in 3D, including “Alice in Wonderland,” “Sanctum,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Mars Needs Moms” and “The Green Hornet.” Films such as “Green Lantern” and “The Smurfs” were filmed in 2D and converted, while “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” and “Puss in Boots” were shot in 2D but also shown in Imax 3D.

This year, many more are coming to theaters while old movies are now available in 3D Blu-ray discs for home enjoyment. And with the increasing popularity of this medium, more people want to enjoy the bold images of 3D on a large screen at home.

To meet that demand, there’s growing interest and innovation in 3D projectors. For example, Mitsubishi Electric’s new 3D projector, the HC7800D, brings the 3D experience home. The projector uses DLP technology to create exciting, vibrant 3D images in full high-definition, 1080p resolution. When paired with a Blu-ray disc player capable of 3D movie playback, 3D projectors like this bring movie enjoyment to a whole new level never before experienced at home.

The projector shows impressive 3D images viewable through its high-performance proprietary active-shutter glasses. The HC7800D also boasts one of the industry’s best 2D to 3D conversion technologies that can transform ordinary 2D classics like “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Ben-Hur” into a seamless 3D experience with near-perfect 3D simulation that makes content jump off the screen.

The projector’s frame rate conversion technology also produces high-speed image reproduction for showing fine, smooth details and reducing any motion blur, especially in fast action scenes, so even watching sports and games becomes an event to look forward to, whether it’s in 2D or 3D.

Panasonic Introduces PT-DZ21K Smallest and Lightest 3-Chip DLP Projector with 3D Capability

Panasonic Europe today announced the PT-DZ21K Series, its new flagship 20,000 lumen 3-chip DLP projectors. The series consists of PT-DZ21K with WUXGA resolution and 20,000 lumens of brightness, PT-DS20K with SXGA+ resolution and 20,000 lumens of brightness and PT-DW17K with WXGA resolution and 16,500 lumens of brightness. In addition to the high brightness and the compact body, the projector boasts a long lamp replacement cycle of up to 2,000 hours and has 3D compatibility making it ideal for large venue applications such as auditorium, museum applications and for rental and staging that require easy handling.

The DZ21K Series boasts a powerful 20,000 lumens of brightness from the incorporation of four new 465W UHM lamps. The high brightness is supported by 10,000:1 contrast ratio, Panasonic’s proprietary Detail Clarity Processor 3 engine that brings out the fine details in images, and DICOM Simulation mode for use in medical training. The PT-DZ21K and PT-DS20K are both active 3D stereo projectors expanding the visual impact of the projected images. The supported 3D system is an active shutter system where the projector can be easily equipped with an external emitter via the 3D timing signal IN/OUT terminal. Frame sequential, side by side and top and bottom formats are supported as well as an easy menu to adjust for passive polarized 3D system.

Much cost savings is possible on the DZ21K Series with the up to 2,000 hours lamp replacement cycle. In addition, these lamps can be set to relay mode for 24/7 operation. The cost savings is also backed up by the up to 12,000 hours maintenance free Eco filter, the low power consumption of under 2,500W, space saving in the warehouse, and the low shipping cost necessary to ship the projector from one location to the next for rental and staging application.

“The PT-DZ21K is a revolutionary product for the staging and events market. Never before has it been possible to project 20.000 lumen from such a small and light projector”, says Hartmut Kulessa, Marketing Manager for Projectors at Panasonic Europe. “With a competitive price-point, low noise level, simple installation and transportation, this projector is perfect for rental and staging companies who are looking for something compact but with a full set of professional features like geometric adjustment, 3D capability and multi-screen features.”

The DZ21K series has a long lamp life cycle with up to 2,000 hours and can be set to relay mode for 24/7 operation. It also has up to 12,000 hours of maintenance free Eco filter, a low power consumption of under 2,500W, and a low shipping cost, which is ideal for rental and staging applications.

The projector comes equipped with a Lens Memory feature which adjusts the image size and location to up to three different projection positions and the mechanical shutter can be programmed to fade the image in and out during show transitions. All models have built in Edge Blending as well as Multi-Unit Brightness Control for projections on to wide screens and surfaces to create an immersive experience. Furthermore, PT-DZ21K and PT-DS20K are compatible to various curved screen projections with the Geometric Adjustment feature. The Geometric Adjustment feature can be enhanced with the optional upgrade kit, ET-UK20, to support more diverse curvatures and shapes. Bitmap masking becomes available enabling projections onto unique shapes.

'Breaking Dawn' to devour three new family films

Multiplexes will be stuffed with new family releases over the Thanksgiving holiday, but the latest installment in the "Twilight" franchise will likely feast on the most ticket sales yet again.

"The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1" opened to an impressive $138 million last weekend, and the film could rake in another $60 million from Wednesday through Sunday, according to those who have seen prerelease audience surveys.

Meanwhile, three new PG-rated films, all of which have earned exceedingly positive reviews, are hitting theaters Wednesday. "The Muppets," starring Jason Segel and Jim Henson's popular gang of puppets, is expected to collect about $45 million by Sunday. "Arthur Christmas," a 3-D computer animated holiday tale, is expected to gross $15 million to $18 million in the same time frame. And "Hugo," director Martin Scorsese's 3-D film about an orphan living in a 1930s Paris train station, will likely bring in only $10 million to $13 million for the five days.

"The Muppets" is returning to the big screen for the first time since 1999, when "Muppets from Space" debuted with a lackluster $4.8 million. Co-written by Segel, the new film is generating interest from children and adults nostalgic for the 1970s television program "The Muppets Show," which featured Kermit, Miss Piggy and their pals.

The movie cost Walt Disney Studios about $45 million to produce. It will open in Mexico on Friday.

"Arthur Christmas" was made by Sony Pictures Animation and the British animation house Aardman Animations, the production company behind the popular Wallace and Gromit movies, TV show and commercials. This marks the first collaboration between the two studios.

The movie, which cost Sony about $100 million to produce, is about how Santa's son learns how to deliver presents worldwide on Christmas Eve. "Arthur Christmas" is going after a younger audience than "Hugo" or "Muppets," hoping to capitalize on the interest of kids ages 7 to 11.

Though audience polling indicates "Arthur" may have a soft opening, the studio is hopeful that it will follow in the footsteps of its recent summer release "The Smurfs." Early tracking had projected that the animated movie featuring miniature blue cartoon characters would have a weak opening, but it debuted with a surprisingly strong $35 million in July and ultimately raked in over $550 million worldwide.

Overseas, "Arthur Christmas" has already opened in five foreign markets, where it has so far collected $9 million. The film is performing especially well in the United Kingdom, where it has sold about $7.6 million in tickets. This weekend, it will play in a total of 25 countries, including Japan and Australia.

"Hugo," an adaptation of the best-selling children's book "The Invention of Hugo Cabret," is playing in 1,200 theaters -- about 2,000 less than the other new movies in wide release this weekend. Rob Moore, Paramount's vice chairman, said the studio opted to open the film in fewer theaters because it is hoping strong word-of-mouth will propel it to box-office success in the coming weeks.

"Instead of putting everything into this very crowded Thanksgiving, we decided to wait and use the great reviews to push and expand the movie into December," said Moore.

The film was initially set for release by Sony on Dec. 9, but financier Graham King was adamant that it bow over the long Thanksgiving weekend. Because the studio already had plans to debut "Arthur Christmas" over the holiday, King moved the film from Sony to Paramount Pictures.

Scorsese's first family picture was financed by King, who said it cost less than $150 million to produce. Another person familiar with the film's budget, who asked not to be identified so as not to damage business relationships, said it cost around $170 million. Paramount is releasing the picture for a fee and paying for the film's prints and advertising.

In limited release, the Weinstein Co. is releasing two possible awards contenders. "My Week with Marilyn," starring Michelle Williams as the tragic Marilyn Monroe, will open Wednesday in 12 markets and expand to 244 theaters Friday. The film, which cost about $10 million to make, will also debut in the United Kingdom this weekend.

Meanwhile, the company's silent black-and-white silent movie "The Artist" will debut in two theaters in New York and two more in Los Angeles on Friday. Although the movie has already collected more than $16 million in France -- where its lead actors hail from -- it remains to be seen if the unique $14-million production will resonate with American audiences.

Farewell to film at fully-digital Odeon

A NEW era for cinema in Harrogate is set to begin after the remaining 35mm-film projectors at the Odeon were replaced with digital versions.

The picture house on East Parade already had two digital screens but the remaining three have been upgraded this week allowing all five to begin showing better quality pictures with improved sound from today.

“It’s a shame that it’s the end of an era as 35mm has been going on for 100 years or so but it’s a case of going with the modern times,” said cinema manager Kevin Langford.

“Most films are on digital format now and having all screens digital will improve the picture quality for audiences, the sound has been upgraded and it means we can do other things – such as adding subtitles.”

The new digital projectors will also allow live-feeds to be shown on all five screens and the Odeon will keep a 35mm-film projector on-hand in screen one for showing any films unavailable in digital format.

Mr Langford added: “With digital projectors there’s scope to do more such as showing things like live operas, ballets and musicals.”

With 35mm-films, movies would be delivered to the cinema as a bundle of reels lasting around 20 minutes each and projectionists would be responsible for physically splicing them together along with advertisements and film trailers ready for screenings.

Now, under the new digital theatre management system, hard drives containing the full film are connected to a main computer and downloaded on to the system with adverts and trailers all added electronically from DVDs or USB memory sticks.

Technical manager Graham Bird, the Odeon’s chief projectionist, said: “I’ll miss the physical side of things – touching the film, running it through your fingers and holding it up to the light. With digital you can’t see it all work – it’s just a series of zeros and ones that’s converted to an image.

“But the new screens are fantastic – all the screen sizes are increasing with the exception of screen five and the sound is going to be much, much better.”

U46 planetarium reaches new heights with new digital projector

The best viewing of the Perseid meteor shower will be Friday night, with the moon at your back, according to Peggy Hernandez, School District U46’s planetarium teacher.

She modeled what the sky will look like late Friday night on the dome of the Elgin School District U46 observatory and planetarium, using the Star Projector Lamp that’s been part of the building at 312 Watch St. since the 1960s.

But the light that flickered briefly across the dome Wednesday evening wasn’t a shooting star, nor was it part of her demonstration, Hernandez said.

“That’s one of the drawbacks to adding a projector to the dome — you get some weird reflections from time to time,” she said.

About 200 people turned out Wednesday night for the debut of the planetarium’s new digital projector.

U46 had planned two screenings that night of a short educational film about telescopes called “Two Pieces of Glass,” shown in 360 degrees on the planetarium’s dome using the new projector. It quickly added a third as lines stretched out the door and down to the sidewalk after the planetarium was filled for the second show.

About 60 people can fit into the padded seats that circle the room underneath the dome, according to Jennifer McDonnell, U46’s coordinator of math, science, planetarium and instructional technology. And the district also had pushed a few folding chairs into empty spaces in the planetarium Wednesday.

“It’s so cool,” McDonnell said. “I’m so excited about it. I wanted this so badly. I was like, ‘We have to get this.’ ”

Hernandez found out what projectors other planetariums across the area use from a Great Lakes Planetarium Association conference, McDonnell said. And U46 was able to secure a grant to cover a $31,000 package with Warped Media for maintenance for all the planetarium’s equipment and Warped Media’s LCD projector, the most cost-efficient, she said.

The district’s financial services department did not return questions about the source of that grant Thursday by The Courier-News.

Multiple shows

The planetarium now has three full-dome shows it can display, such as “Two Pieces of Glass,” McDonnell said. The film traces the history of the telescope from Galileo’s modifications of a spyglass to NASA’s plans for a telescope the size of a football field.

The planetarium also screened several trailers for other educational films Wednesday. They included a journey through the human body, a shark swimming lazy circles around the dome (before ramming it) and a tour of the solar system from the outside in.

It also could show entertainment films, such as at an IMAX Theatre, she said.

“Now we can actually expand to all types of programs,” McDonnell said. “It’s a different way to teach science.”

During the first showing of “Two Pieces of Glass” Wednesday, 6-year-old Blake Kubicek of Elgin gasped as Saturn’s rings circled the planetarium’s dome. He tipped his head back onto his dad Dave Kubicek’s shoulder, whispering the names of the planets as they appeared overhead.

Blake will start first grade at St. Laurence School in Elgin this coming school year, Kubicek said. And he said he wasn’t sure if his son would have the chance to visit the U46 observatory and planetarium at St. Laurence.

“That’s why we wanted to bring him down here,” he said.

“He’s been all about the planets and space lately, so (my wife) wanted to show him this. We figure if they’re going to be doing this on a regular basis, we can make it here in two minutes,” Kubicek said.

The district plans to begin offering similar full-dome shows weekly at the planetarium, McDonnell said.

Last school year, the observatory and planetarium increased its programming to welcome more visitors to the building than it has since the 1980s. It has estimated about 22,000 will visit in 2011.